Ableton Forum

OK

I recently got an APC and am trying to figure out the best way to do something. Basically, I;ve got 8 tracks, with loads of samples/tunes/hits in each one, and some tracks have different device chains e.g. track 1-4 are mainly other peoples tunes, so ive only got EQ3 & auto filter on them. but tracks 5-8 are very different and each have their own individual device racks. this wasn't so much a problem before i had a midi controller as it was so bloody slow clicking things with my mouse that i didnt really bother doing an awful lot. now I have a midi controller, I am finding it hard to assign things in a way that is easiest. if that makes sense?

so an example would be, on track 6 i have a compressor which i have set up to effect all samples in that track in the same way (this is how i want it.) however, this compressor is different to how i have comprressed other tracks (where i have compressed them via a return channel) so I have to have the compressor in the device chain. the problem is, I have a few other devices (beat repeat, EQ 8, and some VST's) that i wish to control using the APC, but i cant figure out a way to 'hide' the compressor from the APC. It might not ever happen, but it would be horrible if I thought it was on the beat repeat and wacked up a knob only to mess with the compressor. this is only one example, theres maaany others im beginning to find and dont hope to repeat during a live set!

So, is there a way to 'hide' devices in the device rack from a midi controller? so i can safely use the scroll l-r buttons on the APC and not knowingly ever touch anything i dont want to? someone mentioned macro controls, can anyone link me up to good tutorials online?

nice one, sorry for the long message!

i'm using two tricks:
- empty (dummy) "audio effect rack" as first device on tracks that include some other devices with presets that i do not want to change (make them active with blue hand)
- devices that i want to control are grouped also in "audio effect rack" but i have my own macro settings

Yep to both of those! Group the entire lot, then macro the controls you need from the chained effects. That gives instant access when you flick to the channel. If you don't like that workflow then empty racks so you don't nudge comp settings, and use next device on the APC to scoot to the desired one. Requires a little more care though